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Understanding the line between self defense and murder

Authorities are still sifting through the details surrounding a shooting that took place on Thanksgiving day in Little Falls. Two teenagers apparently broke into the home of Byron Smith where he says he shot and killed them. He has since been charged with two counts of second-degree murder.

In Minnesota it's legal to own a gun and even shoot an intruder in the name of self-defense but taking the life of another person is a more complicated matter. MPR's Cathy Wurzer spoke with Hamline law professor Joseph Olson who has studied self-defense laws and teaches self defense courses, including how to handle a gun.